Replacement refrigerator compressor bracket

ABSTRACT

A horizontally elongated support frame including a single center mounting point at one end and a pair of opposite side mounting points at the other end by which the frame may be supported from a plurality of makes of refrigerators and/or freezers, the frame itself including further mounting means adapted to support a plurality of motor/compressor and condenser assemblies of different makes therefrom whereby the frame may be utilized to support specific motor/compressor and condenser assemblies from various refrigerators and/or freezers, not necessarily of the same manufacturer. The bracket of the instant invention comprises a frame for mounting beneath a refrigerator or freezer and includes structure by which the step of mounting the frame from the refrigerator or freezer may be readily carried out with little effort on many different refrigerators and freezers of different manufacturers. Also, each of the three forms of support frame specifically disclosed hereinafter include structure by which motor/compressor and condenser assemblies of various manufactures may be supported therefrom.

United States Patent 11 1 Drake I REPLACEMENT REF RIGETOR COMPRESSORBRACKET [76] Inventor: Curry A. Drake, 241 l Baxter Street, Mobile, Ala.36607 22 Filed: June 25, 1971 21 Appl.No.: 156,794

[52] US. Cl 248/16 [51 Int. Cl Fl6m/00 [58] Field of Search ..248/l6,23, 286, 248/274; 312/299, 321, 351

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,918,981 6/ l 933 Pettier..248/23 2,097,525 11/1937 Hull ....248/23 X 3,065,523 11/1962Sloyan.... .248/23 X 3,0l7,226 1/1962 Sloyan ..248/23 X 3,066,89812/1962 Haymes ..248/23 3,221,677 12/1965 Kerr ..3l2/205 X 3,306,6012/1967 Mitchell ..248/l6 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Norway.248/23 1 Apr. 17, 1973 Primary Examiner-William H. SchultzAttorney-Clarence A. OBrien and Harvey B. Jacobson [57] ABSTRACT Ahorizontally elongated support frame including a single center mountingpoint at one end and a pair of opposite side mounting points at theother end by which the frame may be supported from a plurality of makesof refrigerators and/or freezers, the frame itself including furthermounting means adapted to support a plurality of motor/compressor andcondenser assemblies of different makes therefrom whereby the frame maybe utilized to support specific motor/compressor and condenserassemblies from various refrigerators and/or freezers, not necessarilyof the same manufacturer.

The bracket of the instant invention comprises a frame for mountingbeneath a refrigerator or freezer and includes structure by which thestep of mounting the frame from the refrigerator or freezer may bereadily carried out with little effort on many different refrigeratorsand freezers of different manufacturers. Also, each of the three formsof support frame specifically disclosed hereinafter include structure bywhich motor/compressor and condenser assemblies of various manufacturesmay be supported therefrom.

11 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTED H975 3,727, 866

SHLU 1 OF 2 Fig.

Curry A. Drake WWW mm REPLACEMENT REFRIGERATOR COMPRESSOR BRACKET Thereare many instances when repair of refrigerators and freezers requiresthe replacement of the motor/compressor and condenser assembliesthereof. Additionally, the motor/compressor and condenser assemblies ofdifferent manufacturers render different quality service with theresult'that certain motor/compressor and condenser assemblies of aparticular manufacturer may be considered as a preferred replacementassembly for a malfunctioning motor/compressor and condenser assembly ofa refrigerator or freezer of a different manufacturer. In such aninstance, inasmuch as mounting of the preferred motor/compressor andcondenser assembly in the refrigerator or freezer being repairedinvolves considerable adaptations in view of the replacement assembliesbeing the product of one manufacturer and the refrigerator or freezerbeing the product of another manufacturer, the preferred replacementassemblies are not used.

It is accordingly the main object of this invetion to provide amotor/compressor and condenser mounting frame adapted to support themotor/compressor and condenser assemblies of various manufacturerstherefrom and further adapted for ready installation in freezers andrefrigerators of different manufacturers.

Another object of this invention, in accordance with the immediatelypreceding object, is to provide a replacement refrigerator and freezermotor/compressor and condenser bracket constructed in a manner enablingthe motor/compressor and condenser assemblies of various manufacturersto be quickly mounted thereon.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein isto provide a mounting bracket or frame in accordance with the precedingwhich will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simpleconstruction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will beeconomically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a bottom plan view of a refrigerator with a first form of thebracket of the instant invention illustrated supporting the combinedmotor and compressor assembly as well as the condenser assembly of arefrigeration unit therefrom and thus within the lower portion of therefrigerator;

, FIG. 2 is a perspective view ofa second form of support bracket;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating the mannerin which one of the side mounting portions of the first modified form ofmounting bracket may be supported from an adjacent portion of theassociated refrigerator or freezer;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view illustrating the mannerin which the single end mounting portion of the first modified form ofmounting bracket may be supported from an adjacent portion of arefrigerator or freezer;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a second modified form of mounting bracket;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially upon theplane indicated by the section line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially uponthe plane indicated by the section line 7-7 of FIG. 5; 7

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially uponthe plane indicated by the section line 8-8 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the slidable cross member of the secondmodified form of mounting bracket illustrated in FIG. 5.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings the numeral 10 generallydesignates a conventional form of refrigerator. The lower end portion ofthe refrigerator 10 includes opposite side inturned mounting flanges l2and 14 and the area 16 between the flanges 12 and I4 and above ahorizontal plane in which the flanges 12 and 14 are contained defines aspace in which refrigeration components such as motor/compressor andcondenser assemblies may be supported.

The mounting bracket of the instant invention is referred to in generalby the reference numeral 18 and comprises an elongated frame includingfirst and second ends 20 and 22. The frame 18 is defined by a generallyU-shaped member 24 including opposite side legs 26 and 28 interconnectedat one pair of corresponding ends by means of an integral bight portion30. The U-shaped member opens toward the second end of the frame and atransverse member 32 is secured to and extends between and beyond thefree ends of the legs 26 and 28. Further, a second transverse member 34is secured to and extends between the legs 26 and 28 a spaced distancetoward the bight portion 30 from the transverse member 32.

A pair of socket defining brackets 36 are secured to the mounting flange14 by means of suitable fasteners 38 and the brackets 36 definecylindrical sockets in which the opposite ends of the transverse member32 are received and secured by means of set screws 40 carried by thesocket defining brackets. Further, a generally channel-shaped elongatedcenter slotted bracket 42 is secured to and projects outwardly from thebight portion 30 and a second channel member 44 is telescoped within theouter end of the bracket 42 and secured thereto by means of a fastener46 secured through the slot in the bracket 42 and a suitable boreprovided therefor in the adjacent end of the channel member 40. Inaddition, the outer free end of the channel member 44 is slotted as at48 and is secured to the mounting flange 12 by means of a suitablefastener 50 secured to the flange l2 and the slot 48 in the channelmember 44. Accordingly, the bracket 42 and channel member 48 may beadjusted relative to each other and the fastener 50 may be adjustedlongitudinally of the channel member 44 so as to compensate for varyingdistances between mounting flanges of refrigerators corresponding to themounting flanges l2 and 114. In this manner, the frame 18 may beadjusted in effective length so as to be readily adapted for supportfrom the lower end of different types of refrigerators and freezers.

Further, the socket defining bracket 36 may be secured in adjustedposition along the corresponding ends of the transverse member 32 andsecured in adjusted position by means of the set screws 40 so as to varythe spacing between the socket defining brackets 36 according to thespacing between the apertures provided on the associated refrigerator toreceive the fasteners 38.

By the foregoing, it may be seen that the frame 18 can be readilysecured to the refrigerators and freezers of various manufacturers.

The ends of the legs 26 and 28 adjacent the bight portion 20 areprovided with longitudinally spaced apertures 52 through which suitableclamp fasteners may be secured to mount a condenser assembly such as theassembly 54 on the frame 18. In addition, a combined motor andcompressor assembly 56 may be supported from the transverse members 32and 34 by means of suitable fasteners 58. Therefore, motor/compressorand condenser assemblies of various manufacturers may be readilysupported from freezers and refrigerators of different manufacturers byutilizing the frame 18.

With attention now invited more specifically to FIGS. 2 through 4 of thedrawings, there will be seen a second form of mounting bracket or framereferred in general by the reference numeral 18' and whose componentsare similar to the various components of the frame 18 and are thereforedesignated by corresponding prime reference numerals. The frame 18'differs from the frame 18 in that a mounting plate 53 is secured overthe upper surface of the portion of the frame 18 bounded by thetransverse members 34' and 32' and the adjacent ends of the legs 26' and28'. Otherwise, the frame 18' is substantially identical to the frame18.

With reference now more specifically to FIGS. through 9 of the drawingsit will be seen a third form of mounting bracket whose componentscorresponding to the various components of the mounting bracket 18 arereferred to by corresponding reference numerals in the 100 series. Themounting bracket 118 differs from the mounting bracket 18 in that thebight portion 120 thereof includes an outwardly projecting tubular neck121 in whose outer end one end of a tubular member 123 is telescoped, acompression spring 125 being seated in the neck 121 and engaged with theadjacent end of the tubular member 123. The end of the tubular member123 remote from the compression spring 125 is flatened as at 127 and hasan aperture 129 formed therein by which the end of the tubular member123 may be secured to a mounting flange such as the mounting flange 12.

In addition, the transverse member 122 has two pairs of apertures 158formed therein and the transverse member 134 has two pairs of apertures158 formed therein. Further, with attention also invited to H6. 9 of thedrawings, it may be seen that the transverse member 134 comprises atubular member whose opposite ends have semicircular recesses 135 formedtherein which guidingly engage the confronting side surfaces of the legs126 and 128. Accordingly, the transverse member 134 may be adjustedtoward and away from the transverse member 122.

The legs 126 and 128 each have three apertures 152 formed therein andaccordingly, any given set of the apertures 152 may be utilized insecuring a corresponding condenser assembly such as the assembly 154 tothe frame 118. Also, any set of the apertures 158 may be utilizedtogether with shifting of the transverse member 134 relative to thetransverse member 122 in order to adapt the end of the frame 118 remotefrom the neck to have a combined motor and compressor assembly ofsubstantially any manufacturer secured thereto. Still further, thesocket defining brackets 136 of the frame 118 are somewhat longer thanthe socket defining brackets 36 and each includes a pair of set screwsfor releasable securement of the brackets 136 to the opposite ends ofthe transverse member 122 in adjusted position therealong. Therefore, itmay be seen that the mounting bracket or frame 118 may be readilyadjusted not only so that it will be adapted for securement to arefrigerator or freezer of a particular manufacturer but also to enablethe motor/compressor and condenser assemblies of a particularmanufacturer to be secured thereto.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An elongated mounting bracket having first mounting means at one endand intermediate the sides thereof adjustably extendible lengthwise ofsaid bracket outwardly of said one end and second opposite side mountingmeans at the other end thereof adjustably extendible transversely ofsaid bracket outwardly of the corresponding sides of said bracket, saidmounting bracket including means intermediate its ends adapted tosupport motor, compressor and condenser assemblies therefrom.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said endwise extendible mountingmeans at said one end of said bracket includes an endwise outwardlyprojecting slotted channel-shaped member secured to said one end of saidbracket, a second channel member telescoped within the outer end of thefirst mentioned channel member and secured to the latter by means of afastener extending through the slotted portion of the first mentionedchannel member, the outer end of the second mentioned channel memberbeing adapted for securement to a support portion.

3. An elongated mounting bracket having first mounting means at one endand intermediate the sides thereof adjustably extendible lengthwise ofsaid bracket outwardly of said one end and second opposite side mountingmeans at the other end thereof adjustably extendible transversely ofsaid bracket outwardly of the corresponding sides of said bracket, saidmounting bracket including means intermediate its ends adapted tosupport motor, compressor and condenser assemblies therefrom, said firstextendible mounting means at one end of said bracket including a tubularneck projecting endwise outwardly from and being secured to said one endof said mounting bracket,

a tubular member telescoped in the outer end of said tubular neck, theouter end of said tubular member being adapted for securement to asupport portion.

4. The combination of claim 3 including a compression spring seated insaid tubular neck and bearing against the adjacent end of said tubularmember telescoped within the outer end of said neck.

5. An elongated mounting bracket having first mounting means at one endand intermediate the sides thereof adjustably extendible lengthwise ofsaid bracket outwardly of said one end and second opposite side mountingmeans at the other end thereof adjustably extendible transversely ofsaid bracket outwardly of the corresponding sides of said bracket, saidmounting bracket including means intermediate its ends adapted tosupport motor, compressor and condenser assemblies therefrom, saidoutwardly extendible opposite side mounting means at the other end ofsaid bracket including elongated endwise outwardly projecting mountingportions carried by opposite sides of said other end of said bracket andelongated tubular elements telescoped over the outer ends of saidmounting portions and releasably secured in adjusted positiontherealong, the remote ends of said tubular elements including meansadapted for support from suitable mounting portions.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said endwise extendible mountingmeans at said one end of said bracket includes an endwise outwardlyprojecting slotted channel-shaped member secured to said one end of saidbracket, a second channel member telescoped within the outer end of thefirst mentioned channel member and secured to the latter by means of afastener extending through the slotted portion of the first mentionedchannel member, the outer end of the second mentioned channel memberbeing adapted for securement to a support portion.

7. The combination of claim 5 wherein said endwise extendible mountingmeans at one end of said bracket includes a tubular neck projectingendwise outwardly from and is secured to said one end of said mountingbracket, a tubular member telescoped in the outer end of said tubularneck, the outer end of said tubular member being adapted for securementto a support portion.

8. The combination of claim 1 wherein said means intermediate theopposite ends of said mounting bracket includes spaced bores formed inthe opposite sides of said mounting bracket.

9. The combination of claim 1 wherein said means intermediate theopposite ends of said mounting bracket includes a transverse memberextending between the opposite sides of said mounting bracketintermediate the opposite ends thereof and having spaced aperturesformed therein.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said transverse member issupported from said bracket for adjustable shifting longitudinally ofsaid bracket.

11. The combination of claim 10 wherein said mounting bracket includes asecond transverse member extending between the opposite sides of saidother end of said bracket and relative to which the first mentionedtransverse member is shiftable, said first mentioned transverse memberbeing freely shiftable relative to the second mentioned transversemember, the second mentioned transverse member also lncluding aperturesformed therethrough at points spaced longitudinally therealong.

1. An elongated mounting bracket having first mounting means at one endand intermediate the sides thereof adjustably extendible lengthwise ofsaid bracket outwardly of said one end and second opposite side mountingmeans at the other end thereof adjustably extendible transversely ofsaid bracket outwardly of the corresponding sides of said bracket, saidmounting bracket including means intermediate its ends adapted tosupport motor, compressor and condenser assemblies therefrom.
 2. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein said endwise extendible mounting means atsaid one end of said bracket includes an endwise outwardly projectingslotted channel-shaped member secured to said one end of said bracket, asecond channel member telescoped within the outer end of the firstmentioned channel member and secured to the latter by means of afastener extending through the slotted portion of the first mentionedchannel member, the outer end of the second mentioned channel memberbeing adapted for securement to a support portion.
 3. An elongatedmounting bracket having first mounting means at one end and intermediatethe sides thereof adjustably extendible lengthwise of said bracketoutwardly of said one end and second opposite side mounting means at theother end thereof adjustably extendible transversely of said bracketoutwardly of the corresponding sides of said bracket, said mountingbracket including means intermediate its ends adapted to support motor,compressor and condenser assemblies therefrom, said first extendiblemounting means at one end of said bracket including a tubular neckprojecting endwise outwardly from and being secured to said one end ofsaid mounting bracket, a tubular member telescoped in the outer end ofsaid tubular neck, the outer end of said tubular member being adaptedfor securement to a support portion.
 4. The combination of claim 3including a compression spring seated in said tubular neck and bearingagainst the adjacent end of said tubular member telescoped within theouter end of said neck.
 5. An elongated mounting bracket having firstmounting means at one end and intermediate the sides thereof adjustablyextendible lengthwise of said bracket outwardly of said one end andsecond opposite side mounting means at the other end thereof adjustablyextendible transversely of said bracket outwardly of the correspondingsides of said bracket, said mounting bracket including meansintermediate its ends adapted to support motor, compressor and condenserassemblies therefrom, said outwardly extendible opposite side mountingmeans at the other end of said bracket including elongated endwiseoutwardly projecting mounting portions carried by opposite sides of saidother end of said bracket and elongated tubular elements telescoped overthe outer ends of said mounting portions and releasably secured inadjusted position therealong, the remote ends of said tubular elementsincluding means adapted for support from suitable mounting portions. 6.The combination of claim 5 wherein said endwise extendible mountingmeans at said one end of said bracket includes an endwise outwardlyprojecting slotted channel-shaped member secured to said one end of saidbracket, a second channel member telescopeD within the outer end of thefirst mentioned channel member and secured to the latter by means of afastener extending through the slotted portion of the first mentionedchannel member, the outer end of the second mentioned channel memberbeing adapted for securement to a support portion.
 7. The combination ofclaim 5 wherein said endwise extendible mounting means at one end ofsaid bracket includes a tubular neck projecting endwise outwardly fromand is secured to said one end of said mounting bracket, a tubularmember telescoped in the outer end of said tubular neck, the outer endof said tubular member being adapted for securement to a supportportion.
 8. The combination of claim 1 wherein said means intermediatethe opposite ends of said mounting bracket includes spaced bores formedin the opposite sides of said mounting bracket.
 9. The combination ofclaim 1 wherein said means intermediate the opposite ends of saidmounting bracket includes a transverse member extending between theopposite sides of said mounting bracket intermediate the opposite endsthereof and having spaced apertures formed therein.
 10. The combinationof claim 9 wherein said transverse member is supported from said bracketfor adjustable shifting longitudinally of said bracket.
 11. Thecombination of claim 10 wherein said mounting bracket includes a secondtransverse member extending between the opposite sides of said other endof said bracket and relative to which the first mentioned transversemember is shiftable, said first mentioned transverse member being freelyshiftable relative to the second mentioned transverse member, the secondmentioned transverse member also including apertures formed therethroughat points spaced longitudinally therealong.